“One-on-one tutoring sounds expensive, but not at City College! I was surprised when I was told that the tutoring service is free. I was even more surprised when I found out the diversity of the courses tutored.. The casual environment, together with the opportunity to find a group of students to study with, and the genuine interest of the tutors in helping us, have encouraged me to visit the LAC quite often." Yousef Kazerooni, French tutee

What is Tutoring?

Tutoring is a one-on-one personal academic support system. Tutors share their knowledge of their subject matter. They work to provide an active learning experience for their students by explaining difficult concepts and providing examples for exploration. Tutors encourage, motivate, inspire, and enable students to develop confidence in their academic abilities. The goal of tutoring is to enable students to become independent and fearless lifelong learners eager to explore learning and create lives that will inspire others.

Tutors assist students in their weekly assignments and study techniques, and are available on a drop-in basis at scheduled hours. The following areas provide free tutoring.

What subjects does the LAC tutor?

Business, Technology and Science Tutoring

The Business and Science Areas offer tutoring and study tables for students enrolled in accounting, anatomy, architecture, biology, chemistry, economics, physics, physiology and statistics classes.

The Social Science areas offer tutoring in subjects such as history, music, philosophy, political science, psychology and sociology.

Mathematics and Engineering Tutoring

The Math and Engineering Tutoring Area (META) offers tutoring and study tables for students enrolled in most math classes and a number of engineering classes.

What are the benefits of tutoring?

Working with a fellow student can be a real treat. It helps to hear course material explained from a point of view different from the instructor. Your tutor can provide you with valuable feedback on how to approach the course and the material.

What should I bring to my tutoring sessions?

Your tutor will be able to assist you in the most effective manner when you bring your textbook, class notes, assignment details, questions, and your work to date.

What happens during a tutoring session?

Your tutor will ask you what you need, and how you have approached the subject so far. He or she will involve you in a discussion of the course material. You homework will be scrutinized, but the tutor will not simply provide you with correct answers. Tutors are trained to help you find your own correct answers. They assist you with basic reading/writing/math skills necessary for success in your college course. Your tutor will also help you with note taking and test taking skills, and tips on how to study your particular subject.

Who are the tutors?

LAC tutors are City College students who generally earned a grade of “A” in the course and have been trained to use a supportive approach to tutoring. They are students who are concerned about their fellow students and who are interested in helping others learn the subjects they enjoy themselves.

How can I get tutoring?

Drop by the LAC in the Rosenberg Library, Room 207. Go to the Tutorial Center Counter and ask about tutoring in your subject. You will learn about the drop-in tutoring schedule and how to access tutoring in the area of the LAC that focuses on your subject.

Show your CCSF Photo ID Card to the Tutorial Counter staff. (If you don’t have one, go to the Cashier’s Office in Smith Hall 118. They will provide you with one quickly and easily.)

You will be asked to complete a short LAC registration form that includes a faculty referral the first time you visit each semester. This process adds you into LERN 1000-Supervised Tutoring, a non-credit course that does not appear on your official transcripts. You will be shown how to login on our computers and where to go for tutoring in your subject matter. Tutoring schedules are mostly completed approximately the second week of the semester.

Is there special tutoring for students with disabilities?

City College of San Francisco is committed to ensuring equal access and reasonable accommodations and assistance for people with disabilities.

The LAC offers tutorial services for all students, but we do not offer special services to any students.

The LAC provides free tutoring for City College students in over 30 different subjects. Any student may be limited, at the discretion of the tutor manager, in the number of times and the amount of time the student may spend with a tutor each week or each day for two reasons:

1. There are other students waiting to be seen.

2. The student is relying too heavily on a tutor to carry him/her through the class.

Instructors expect their students to do their own work; too much dependence on the tutor calls into question how much work students are actually capable of doing on their own.